'Dangerous Animals': Where sharks and serial killers collide

In a genre-bending twist that merges the primal fear of sharks with the unsettling world of serial killers, the horror film "Dangerous Animals" is set to leave audiences on the edge of their seats.

Directed by Australian filmmaker Sean Byrne and penned by Nick Lepard, this gripping tale features a talented cast that includes, Hassie Harrison ("Yellowstone"), Josh Heuston, Rob Carlton, Ella Newton, Liam Greinke, and Jai Courtney, who plays the enigmatic and shark-obsessed serial killer, Tucker.

At the film's core lies the story of Zephyr, a rebellious surfer, who becomes the unsuspecting captive of Tucker aboard his boat.

As the clock ticks away, Zephyr (Harrison) must race against time to escape before Tucker enacts his ritualistic feeding to the hungry sharks lurking beneath the deep blue.

Courtney, who takes on the complex role of Tucker, spoke passionately about the psychological depth of his character. 

"There’s always a belief in something behind an evil person. For Tucker, his actions stem from a place of vulnerability rooted in a traumatic past involving a shark attack. It’s his delusional connection to these predators that shapes his worldview and motivates his violent actions."

Courtney elaborates on the emotional toll of bringing such a dark character to life sharing: "There were moments on this film where it was just like, 'Alright, time out. Did we get it?', because it’s hard to live in that space. It poisoned me a little too, but you’ve got to come at it with love," he says. 

The film's chilling narrative is further amplified by its authentic cinematography, which was shot aboard a real boat.

Courtney expressed his astonishment at the production experience, describing it as both exhilarating and disorienting.

"I can't believe we did it. When I read the script, I was like, we'll be in a tank, surely. We'll just be in a tank and probably on half a boat, or whatever.

"No, we were out there in the open, open sea. The boat was a boat. I had a little trepidation of having my sea legs, but I never got seasick once ... But, man, talk about being in the elements. It never fails to shed that layer of imagination that you're sometimes forced to have. It just gets you into the space ... I'm really appreciative that we did it as real as we did."

In the film, director Byrne has crafted a narrative that juxtaposes the instincts of the predators with the darker aspects of humanity.

Expressing his excitement about the concept, Byrne shared: "What initially attracted me to the script was that it was this fusion of shark film and serial killer film. I've never seen those two sub genres join before ... It is about animal instincts, but when the sharks act on their instincts, it's still because of the manipulation of man." 

He continued: "What excited me about the script is there was a shark conservation element to it ... if a human is attacked, it's an accident. We don't shirk on the shark drama, but it's not sharks just hunting people ... The real killer is us and that’s proven time and time again. That was the theme that I wanted to really resonate, is that the shark isn't the monster.

"You are definitely safer in the water than you are on the boat," Byrne says.

He says his hope is that the film would enlighten audiences about the dangers of our destructive behaviours towards nature itself and to prompt audiences to reflect on what it means to survive.

"What would you do to survive? The will to live, I can't imagine anything that's stronger than that. That's what I love so much about horror films, and it doesn't always get explored, is that in a way, all films are drama. But horror films exist in the moment between life and death, and there is nothing more dramatic than that.

"So if you care about the characters, then sort of by definition, the stakes can't be any higher than in a horror film. They're extreme, and that's where the film is genuinely harrowing. If you don't care, you don’t scare."

With its visceral blend of human vulnerability and primal fear, "Dangerous Animals" is set to reel audiences in and provoke contemplation long after the credits roll.

• "Dangerous Animals" is currently showing in cinemas nationwide.

Watch the trailer below.